China's ZTE has further expanded its international presence by forging alliances with companies based in Africa and Russia. Two Ethiopian companies, Janora Technology and TIRET, announced on September 15 that they will join hands with ZTE on the establishment of a mobile phone assembly plant in Ethiopia, according to China Business News. The plant will be located in Bhar Dar in northern Ethiopia. With an estimated investment of US$5.2 million, the facility is slated to start operations in 18 months. Production capacity is put at more than 3,000 units per day.

Meanwhile, Russia-based telecommunications solution provider Sitronics and ZTE have formed a joint venture named Sitronics-ZTE in Hangzhou, China. The new company is devoted to the development and production of telecommunications equipment, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) phones, and specialized electronics products, according to a press release by Sitronics. Sitronics holds a stake of 51% in the new company, and ZTE the remaining 49%.